MOGADISHU – Somali Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi said that military operations against al-Shabaab will not stop until the group is completely eliminated from the country.
Speaking after the recent recapture of the strategic town of Barire by government and allied forces, Fiqi reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to liberating all areas still under al-Shabaab control.
“The ongoing war will not stop until al-Shabaab is fully removed from the entire country,” he said. “It is a national duty to relieve our people from the oppression and violence caused by this group.”
Since 2022, the Somali government has led major offensives against al-Shabaab in central and southern regions, supported by local militias, African Union forces, and international partners.
Despite recent gains, the group remains resilient and has retaken at least three towns this year alone, underscoring the challenges that remain in fully defeating the insurgency.
